it's a big bird, big oscar. he was always creating. >> after years of watching his work as a puppet ear, clash first met henson in 1979. >> i got to see the macy's thanksgiving day parade. which was a thrill for me. then to meet jim for the first time after the parade was over, of course, was a dream come true. >> reporter: four years later, clash was hired for 10 episodes of sesame street. he joined the cast in 1985. >> i'm still pinching myself. because i'm 50. and i think i started working with him in my early 20s. >> you said he never acted like a boss. he was a teammate. >> because he respected everybody that he worked with, everybody wanted to give him more than 100%. the openness that he gave toeating and showing my talent, that's what did it for me. >> reporter: it was this freedom that allowed him to create the distinctive voice for elmo. his work as elmo earned him an emmy in 1990, the same year henson died. >> speaking on behalf of all of your friends, if you had the opportunity, what would you say to